Human Trafficking Charges Against Saudi Princess Dropped

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Charges of human trafficking against a Saudi royal princess were dropped Friday after investigators could not find evidence to support the allegations.

Meshael Alayban, 42 (credit: Los Angeles Times)

Meshael Alayban, 42, was arrested July 10 after being accused of holding a Kenyan woman against her will and forcing her to work as a domestic servant.

Alayban was scheduled to be arraigned in Orange County Superior Court when charges were dropped.

Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas told the judge there was not enough evidence to proceed with the case and told the judge they wanted the case thrown out.

Dismissing a case after further investigation was not unusual, according to Susan Schroeder, a spokeswoman for the Orange County district attorney.

“The defendant was a flight risk and we had the sufficient evidence to file a case at the time we did. It’s not unusual for us to get further evidence and dismiss the case at another point,” Schroeder said.

Paul Meyer and Jennifer Keller, attorneys for the princess, issued the following statement:

“No one was overworked or held against her will…the live-ins enjoyed full use of the pool, parks, spa and gym, as shown by the building’s closed circuit TV cameras and photos they posted to Facebook and elsewhere. There was no human trafficking here, the claims were a scam to gain permanent resident status in the United States.”

The charges against Alayban would have been punishable by up to 12 years in prison.